Dry autumn wanted for Fictional

Ed McMahon is hoping for a dry autumn to enable his York winner Fictional to have suitable conditions in the totesport Ayr Gold Cup next month.

The four-year-old staked a claim for the valuable sprint handicap at Ayr on September 17 with a smooth victory at the Knavesmire last Tuesday.

“He’s very well after York and I don’t think he had that hard a race there,” said the Staffordshire trainer.

“He was always travelling well and was the last one off the bridle. I think he’s on the upgrade.

“He’s entered in the Ayr Gold Cup but the downside is at that time of the year the ground can get very soft. I’ve known it be bottomless for that meeting so we are going to be directed by the weather.

“We will put the entries in and see where the weather takes us, but if conditions are right at Ayr he’ll go there.”